Emmanuel Rodriguez starts bid to become three-time titleholder

Emmanuel Rodriguez is putting a frustrating part of his career behind him as he aims to become a three-time bantamweight titleholder. 

Rodriguez returns Saturday against Fernando Diaz in a 10-round bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

The fight will be his first in 20 months, when his second IBF 118lbs title tour ended in a May 2024 loss to Ryosuke Nishida. Rodriguez, 22-3 (13 KOs), never had the chance to successfully defend the belt he regained after a dominant August 2023 shutout victory over Melvin Lopez.

In fact, the 33-year-old Puerto Rico native even abruptly announced his retirement in October 2023. The claim was short-lived, though the outburst was a necessary release. 

“When I announced my retirement, it was out of frustration,” Rodriguez told BoxingScene via a translator. “When I won the world title, I wanted to do things like unify the division, but I couldn’t because of the rules in place. 

“I became demotivated and started thinking like a hothead.” 

Becoming a unified champion was a priority for Rodriguez during his second reign. He was among the world’s best bantamweight when he first won the IBF title in 2018.

Rodriguez was given an opportunity to shine during the second year of the World Boxing Super Series. He prevailed in the most competitive matchup of the 118 division opening round when he edged then-unbeaten Jason Moloney to retain his title. 

However, he had the misfortune of drawing Naoya Inoue as his next opponent. Inoue dropped Rodriguez three times on the way to a 2nd round knockout in their May 2019 semifinal bout, which ended his title reign. 

His next crack at the title picture wouldn’t come for another 19 months. Rodriguez was originally due to face Nonito Donaire, who in turn was first scheduled to challenge then-WBC titlist Nordine Oubaali. Both Oubaali and Donaire were hit with Covid on separate occasions, which left Rodriguez to face Reymart Gaballo for the WBC interim title. 

Most observers felt Rodriguez won the fight handily. Two of the three judges disagreed, as Gaballo was awarded a controversial split decision. 

Just five fights followed in the five years that passed, including his second title win. So what keeps him going? 

“My motivation right now is to win a third world title,” Rodriguez said. “That is my top priority.” 

As for the division, Rodriguez believes he belongs next to the titleholders, especially since Inoue and Junto Nakatani have left the division. 

“I believe I can beat all of the current world champions in my division,” Rodriguez said. “These fights are winnable.”

Diaz, 16-6-1 (6 KOs), is a 25-year-old who trains in Riverside, California. He last fought in October at the same venue, losing a unanimous decision to unbeaten contender Dominique Crowder. Diaz only recently moved to bantamweight after spending most of his career at junior bantamweight. 

Rodriguez, who has had a long layoff, set the expectations for the coming bout.  

“This is the perfect opponent for my return,” Rodriguez said. “Given the type of fighter I am, I believe I can knock him out even though no one has managed to do so before. I will be the first to knock him out.”

“I know he's coming in hungry, but I plan to end the fight with a knockout.”

If Rodriguez were to do that, he’d be the first fighter to stop Diaz, who has proved to be a veteran. 

Before Rodriguez’s comeback, he was splitting time between Puerto Rico and Mexico for his training camps. For four years, Rodriguez spent four to five months of the year away from home. During that time, Rodriguez was training alongside Subriel Matias - who headlines Saturday’s show against Dalton Smith - with Jay “Panda” Najar, also while he and his partner welcomed a newborn into the world. 

Now, with hopes of being a titleholder again, Rodriguez is back in Puerto Rico training with Roman “Rocky” Martinez as he looks to start another title run on Saturday. 

“My goal for 2026 is to win my third world title,” Rodriguez said.

Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.